Hatrack River Forum: Delay Won't Seek Reelection in November

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Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :

From www.washingtonpost.com front page:

quote:
Breaking News
Delay Won't Seek Reelection in November
Texas Republican and former House majority leader announces his retirement rather than face a fight that appears increasingly unwinnable. More details to come soon. –Staff Reports 10:25 p.m. ET

Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :

I believe that Tom Delay was one of the most dangerous men in politics. While his leaving will mean that the Democrat's probably won't win his seat this year, I still see his retirement as a good thing, for the Republicans and the Democrats and America in general.

I fear what lobbying/pac/political intrigue he will juggle as an ex-congressman though.

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

Hmm...Do you think he quit in advance of new lobbying restrictions so he could go out under the current rules?

Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :

Here's a link to the CNN article.

quote:
"I'm a realist. I've been around awhile. I can evaluate political situations. And it was obvious to me that the 22nd District needed an election that discussed issues. It was obvious to me that this election had become a referendum on me."

Ummm... yeah. Isn't that usually the case for an incumbant? The difference being this referendum seemed like it would be more clearly negative.

--Enigmatic

Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Enigmatic:

quote:
"I'm a realist. I've been around awhile. I can evaluate political situations. And it was obvious to me that the 22nd District needed an election that discussed issues. It was obvious to me that this election had become a referendum on me."
Ummm... yeah. Isn't that usually the case for an incumbant? The difference being this referendum seemed like it would be more clearly negative.

I realize you're saying he's only willing to step down because he is a losing issue in and of himself, but that does imply enough concern for/belief in his party to recognize when he has become an obstacle to it, and a wilingness to stand aside for its benefit.

Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :

Jim-Me, I agree with you on that. I do think this is the better move he could do for the Republican party and probably a very wise choice on his part. I'm not criticizing that.

I just think it's funny the way he phrased some of his statements about the decision, like this was a unique case. Most elections with an incumbant are far more about the incumbant's performance in their recent term than about anything else.

It's probably also worth pointing out that I don't think many politicians of either party would have said things much differently. It's the language of politics and spin I find amusing more than the individual saying them this time out.

--Enigmatic

Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :

Yeah, it's almost like watching sports: there are certain things we expect people to say, even if we *know* they don't mean them. A sad state, really.

Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :

In a way, I'm disappointed. DeLay was corrupt, but at least he was proven corrupt. Now a new Republican, modelled after DeLay, will take his place -- and while I don't doubt the same will go on, it may be impossible to catch the new one this time around -- particularly since this one will be fiercely defended by claims of a different face in the same seat with the same sponsors.

Better the evil you know, I guess...

Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :

(breaking self-imposed hiatus)

Well, I'm thinking that there might be other shoes ready to drop.

After all, there's this bit from the AP Story:

quote:
Last week, former DeLay aide Tony Rudy pleaded guilty to conspiring with lobbyist Jack Abramoff and others to corrupt public officials, and he promised to help the broad federal investigation of bribery and lobbying fraud that already has resulted in three convictions.

Any guesses on whose name Tony Rudy might have offered up?

But we should all remember this, as related by columnist Clarence Page:

quote:
Everyone is innocent, as I once heard a Chicago politician say, until all of their appeals are exhausted.

Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :

quote:
Any guesses on whose name Tony Rudy might have offered up?

The stories I've heard specifically state that he didn't offer up DeLay. We wouldn't know if he had only testified against DeLay in a grand jury, but I'd be surprised at this point if Rudy gave up DeLay.

Now, he might have given someone up who can give up DeLay.

Posted by airmanfour (Member # 6111) on :

No way. Anyone intent in spilling Delay Beans will go suspiciously missing.